Orestes (play)

Orestes is a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Euripides, believed to have been first performed in 408 BCE at the City Dionysia. The play takes place shortly after Orestes has murdered his mother, Clytemnestra, to avenge the death of his father, Agamemnon. Orestes is tormented by the Erinyes (Furies) as a result of his matricide and is suffering from a severe illness.

Synopsis

The play opens with Electra watching over her brother, Orestes, as he lies ill. Helen, the sister of Clytemnestra and wife of Menelaus, arrives to pay her respects. However, she is hesitant to enter the palace for fear of contamination. Menelaus arrives after returning from Troy and expresses sympathy, but he is unwilling to offer substantial aid due to his own political ambitions and the potential disapproval of the Spartan people.

Orestes awakens and is visited by his friend, Pylades. They discuss their plight and the injustice of the situation. When Tyndareus, Clytemnestra's father, arrives, he condemns Orestes' actions and demands that he be put to death for the murder. This creates a conflict between Tyndareus, representing the old order of familial revenge, and Orestes, who acted upon the command of Apollo.

Desperate and feeling abandoned, Orestes, Electra, and Pylades plot to murder Helen in revenge. When they are unable to kill her due to Apollo whisking her away to safety, they seize Hermione, Helen and Menelaus' daughter, and threaten to kill her unless Menelaus pleads for Orestes' life.

Apollo appears deus ex machina at the end of the play to resolve the conflict. He orders Orestes to go to Athens to stand trial for his matricide. He also decrees that Orestes will marry Hermione, Pylades will marry Electra, and Menelaus will reconcile with Orestes.

Themes

Orestes explores themes of justice, revenge, madness, and the breakdown of societal order. The play is often seen as a departure from the traditional heroic ideals of earlier Greek tragedies. The characters are often portrayed as unstable and driven by extreme emotions. The play questions the validity of the cycle of revenge and the role of the gods in human affairs. It also highlights the political instability and moral ambiguity of the post-Trojan War world.

Character Analysis

• Orestes: He is a complex and tormented figure, driven to madness by guilt and the pursuing Furies. His actions and motivations are often questionable.
• Electra: She is fiercely loyal to her brother and shares his thirst for revenge. She is also a victim of circumstance, trapped in a world of violence and political intrigue.
• Menelaus: He is a pragmatic and politically motivated character, unwilling to risk his own position to help Orestes.
• Tyndareus: He represents the old order of familial revenge and condemns Orestes' matricide.
• Helen: She is portrayed as a figure of vanity and self-preservation. Her presence further complicates the already tense situation.
• Pylades: Orestes' loyal and devoted friend, willing to support him in his darkest moments.

Reception and Interpretation

Orestes is considered one of Euripides' most challenging and controversial plays. It has been interpreted in various ways, with some critics seeing it as a critique of Athenian society and its legal system, while others view it as a psychological study of characters driven to the brink of madness. The play's ambiguous ending and its morally complex characters have ensured its continued relevance and appeal to modern audiences.